Thanks again Nati for pre-reading!

Prologue: Bored Meeting

Bella's POV

I walked into the conference room and took a deep breath. I hated these meetings. For one, they were always full of pretentious stuffy old men with bushy eyebrows and grey hair. Two, they were utterly pointless.

Most of the other managers and directors were already there, so I took my seat in the middle of the long table on the left side. I opened up my folder and shuffled through some notes I'd made for my newest project. I had my own presentation to give towards the end of the meeting although it was one I was not really looking forward to.

A few of the other associates glanced in my direction, but only a few of those acknowledged my presence with a nod of the head or a smile.

I just wanted the meeting to be over with so I could get back to my office where I wouldn't have to pretend that I liked any of the people in this room. They were the reason my job was so difficult and the very same reason I had to work so damn hard. I prayed silently that the people before me would present either something so ridiculous that it would keep me awake and entertained or actually present something worthwhile to catch my interest. Despite my wishful thinking, I was not convinced this meeting would be any different than the rest.

The seat on my right remained vacant as the meeting went underway which didn't surprise me at all. Pretty much everyone in this company knew by now that I saw through all their fake facades and corporate room politics and that if provoked I'd tell them exactly what was on my mind. They needn't worry, I wasn't exactly in a defensive mood today. I was more worn out than anything.

I tried to stay awake and pay attention to the guy who was at the front of the room, but it was hard. Even after only five minutes. His ideas were horrible as predicted. Anyone with a brain could see that, but yet somehow he'd gotten hired. Office room politics.

My thoughts were interrupted as a sweet heavenly, but still manly scent filled the air beside me as someone slid into the vacant seat next to me.

I turned my head and took in a young man with a chiseled jaw, dark eyebrows, and startling green eyes. His eyes met mine and he smiled showing straight and perfect white teeth.

I was momentarily dazed, but I managed to somehow smile back and reluctantly turned my attention back to the boring guy upfront.

My attempts and concentrating up front were futile.

My mind kept drifting to other things like oh, I don't know the very attractive guy next to me, who smelled amazing. I couldn't recall ever seeing him in one of these meetings before. I was sure I would have noticed him with those coppery locks and perfect face. I wondered if he was a manager or on someone's team.

The next guy presenting stood up and pulled up his PowerPoint and began talking. I thought the first guy had been bad, but this guy made the last one look like Einstein. I wished the meeting would just end, but I still had another hour before lunch.

I felt a poke on my shoulder and ignored it figuring it was just an accidental brush of a folder or chair. I felt the pressure on my shoulder again and I looked over and saw the green eyed guy pushing a folded piece of a PowerPoint page over to me.

I met the green eyed guys gaze and he winked. Curious, I turned the piece of paper over to the back.

Are these meetings always this bad? was scrawled on the paper. He'd even drawn a frowny face.

I couldn't help, but smile.

I took my own pen and wrote a reply.

Unfortunately yes. R.I.P brain cells. They're dying of boredom. LOL

I drew a smiley face with Xed out eyes and pushed the paper back to green eyed guy.

It took him only a few seconds to scribble a reply before it was my turn again.

I think my IQ dropped at least 40 points. I'm Edward by the way.

So green eyed guys name was Edward. Hmm. Old-fashioned.

Bella.

I pushed the paper back.

Nice to meet you. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks this meeting is boring. I went out on a limb hoping that you were a nice person. It seems I was right.

It was my turn again and I tapped my pen against my folder.

Nice to meet you too. Half of the meetings I go to are a complete waste of time. I'm glad you took a chance. My IQ has gone up at least 30 points since I started talking to you. Huge improvement from a few minutes ago.

I passed the sheet back and glanced around to make sure no one was watching us. I'd hate to see the look on my boss Jessica's face if she saw me passing notes during the meeting.

My worries were unnecessary though. No one was paying attention to me and green eyed guy. Hell, barely anyone was even paying attention to that guy upfront. I had been so busy passing notes with green eyed guy that I hadn't even realized that we'd switched speakers. This guy was slightly better than the last two, but even a monkey probably could've given a better presentation.

Green eyed guy passed the paper back and I smiled thankful for the small reprieve from boredom.

I'm glad I did too. We are running out of space it seems. I guess we will have to finish talking some other time. Thanks for the distraction.

I smiled and closed the paper, folding and passing it back to Edward after writing your welcome.

Edward took the paper and slipped it into his suit pocket and patted it.

The rest of the meeting passed by slowly without green eyes guys banter and I wished we hadn't run out of space.

By the time it got to my presentation more than half the room was asleep. And then there was this one guy who thought he was being sneaky, but he wasn't fooling anyone. I could totally tell he was playing a game of candy crush on his phone. Either way, it didn't really matter. Anything I probably said would've just gone in one ear and out the other anyways.

My presentation went by quickly and then it was the end. The end to a not so productive meeting. I collected all my papers and began standing up.

"It was nice to meet you Bella."

Green eyed guy held out his hand. Despite knowing his name, he'd still be green eyed guy to me.

"You too," I said, taking it.

"I look forward to seeing you again."

And then he was gone along with that pleasant smell that seemed to surround him.

I sighed.

Til next time green eyed guy.

Well, hello there! A new story! I know I have like fifty, but I promise each and everyone single one of them will be eventually be updated and completed. What a daunting task!

I hope you enjoyed this first chapter and leave me a review to let me know if I should continue and what you thoughT! I'd love to hear some boredroom (see what I did there?) stories about trying to stay awake.

Thanks,

marie